What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
C13-15 Alkane
SolventWater
Skin ConditioningCocoglycerides
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Acrylates Crosspolymer
AbsorbentPolyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate
EmollientPolyglyceryl-4 Oleate
Emulsifying
Cetearyl Olivate
Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables
Emollient
Troxerutin
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate
Diisostearyl Malate
EmollientGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Cistus Incanus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
Antioxidant
Octyldodecanol
Emollient
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantMalic Acid
Buffering
Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Astaxanthin
Skin Conditioning
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Propylene Carbonate
SolventStearalkonium Hectorite
Gel FormingPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantC13-15 Alkane, Water, Cocoglycerides, Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates Crosspolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Polyglyceryl-4 Oleate, Cetearyl Olivate, Polyglyceryl-6 Oleate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Troxerutin, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Diisostearyl Malate, Gluconolactone, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium PCA, Maltodextrin, Cistus Incanus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Octyldodecanol, Calcium Gluconate, Malic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Tocopherol, Astaxanthin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Carbonate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, CI 77491
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Cetearyl Olivate
Propanediol
Solvent
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Triolein
Skin Conditioning
Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin Conditioning
Resveratrol
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Dihydroxy Methylchromone
Antioxidant
Tetraacetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Dioleate
Emollient
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Chloride
MaskingPentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Mica
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Cetearyl Olivate, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Triolein, Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer, Retinol, Tocopherol, Caffeine, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Resveratrol, Ceramide NP, Dihydroxy Methylchromone, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glyceryl Dioleate, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Gluconolactone, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 60, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Mica, CI 77891
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.
Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.
In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.
Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.
This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.
This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetearyl Olivate is a plant-derived emulsifier and texture enhancer. It helps keep the oil and water phases from separating so your formulas stay stable.
You'll likely see it combined with Sorbitan Olivate (together sold as the trade name Olivem 1000). This combination generates a liquid crystal structure that closely resemble the lipid organization of the stratum corneum.
These "skin-like" liquid crystals improve skin barrier integrity and promote the delivery of actives into the skin.
This ingredient is well-tolerated and has no significant sensitization data.
Because it is derived from the fatty acids in olive oil, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateGluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateSorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
This ingredient is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
This ingredient is also known as part of Olivem 1000, with Cetearyl Olivate being the other part.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient helps preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria.
Please note, having a healthy microbiome is different from fungal acne; a healthy microbiome includes small amounts of yeast that normally live on your skin without causing problems.
Fungal acne happens when one type of yeast (Malassezia) grows out of control. This is usually because it's feeding on certain oils or fatty acids. Due to the olive oil base, this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolTocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
